Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's scar due to status-post benign cavernous sinus tumor is granted a rating of 30 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been REMANDED due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling examinations, and ensuring compliance with remand directives.

The Board has remanded two issues: 1) Bilateral calf conditions and 2) A scar on the Veteran's chin. The Veteran served in the Marine Corps from March 1992 to March 1996.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing his claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a keloid scar of the posterior aspect of the head, an effective date prior to August 15, 2015, for service connection for scars of the head, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for scars of the head.,The Board has determined that these issues should be remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for scar, right thumb and scar, right bicep. The claims for reopening of service connection for thyroid cancer and prostate cancer were also denied.

The appeal as to PTSD is dismissed. Service connection for dry eye syndrome, secondary to service-connected bilateral pinguecula, is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a left eye corneal scar is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded. The claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of cholecystectomy is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional records and clarification of her dates of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 16, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a separate compensable evaluation for various scars have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from SSA.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service. The lung scars claim is remanded as there are insufficient records and opinions regarding the etiology of the lung scars.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chest scar, residual of coronary artery bypass graft, was denied. The Veteran also had claims regarding effective dates and service connection for other conditions which were not resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a postoperative surgical scar associated with respiratory cancer is remanded due to the passage of time since his last examination and new allegations of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee DJD, initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and facial scar disability, and chest scar disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a collapsed lung is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to October 28, 2008. The Board has referred this case to the Director, Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Veteran's left knee residual surgical scar, which is painful and contributes to his inability to stand, walk, or run for a long period of time with acute attack, has been granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death and if his ventricular tachycardia had its onset in service or was otherwise related to a disease or injury in service, including ionizing radiation exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on substitution purposes were remanded for additional development due to the complexity and nature of the issues.